470
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
Rev. Mr. Wylder very well knows with what reluctance I
touched the case — a nasty case; and I must be permitted
to add, that I am very happy so be quite rid of it, and
only regret the manner in which my wish has been antici-
pated, a discourtesy which I attribute, however, to female
influence."
The concluding sentence was spoken with a vile sneer
and a measured emphasis directed at Lord Chelford, who
colored with a sudden access of indignation, and stood stern
and menacing, as the attorney, with a general bow to the
company, and a lofty nonchalance, made his exit from the
apartment.
Captain Lake was sinking very fast next morning. He
made a statement to Chelford, who was a magistrate for
the county, I suppose to assist the coroner's inquest. He
said that on the night of Mark Wylder's last visit to
Brandon, he had accompanied him from the Hall; that
Mark had seen some one in the neighborhood of Gylingden,
a person pretending to be his wife, or some near relative
of hers, as well as he, Captain Lake, could understand,
and was resolved to go to London privately, and have the
matter arranged there. He waited near the "White
House," while he, Stanley Lake, went to Gylingden and
got his tax-cart at his desire. He could give particulars
as to that. Captain Lake overtook him, and he got in
and was driven to Dollington, where he took the up-train.
That some weeks afterwards he saw him at Brighton; and
the night before last, by appointment, in the grounds of
Brandon; and that he understood Larkin had some lights
to throw updn the same subject.
The jury were not sworn until two o'clock. The cir-
cumstances of the discovery of the body were soon estab-
lished. But the question which next arose was very per-
plexed — was the body that of Mr. Mark Wylder? There
could be no doubt as to a general resemblence; but, though